How Zach LaVine can help the Chicago Bulls win more games

Taking care of the basketball will force defenders to guard LaVine more honestly

Famous author H. Jackson Brown Jr. once said “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” This certainly applies to turnovers in the game of basketball.

Through 14 games this season, Zach LaVine is averaging 4.1 turnovers per game. While players with a high usage rate are bound to have more turnovers than guys who rarely touch the ball, a closer look at the numbers shows this is an area of opportunity for LaVine. He currently ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring at 27.4 points per game. Among the other players in the top ten, Zach’s 4.1 turnover percentage is the highest.

Turnovers often lead to easy points in transition for the other team. In a league where offensive schemes are getting better every year, being able to get stops is of increased importance. Giving up easy baskets is counterproductive to this goal. If LaVine is able to cut down on turnovers, his 27 points per game would be that much more lethal.

As it stands right now, opposing coaches are instructing defenders to get into his chest, knowing that pressure may cause him to cough up the ball. If he loses this reputation, defenders may sag off of him a bit, which would give him even more room to operate.